So a couple of weeks ago I had to say my farewells to my best friend since fifteen and a half years. A rather unremarkable 15lbs poodle (but with loads of personality). After all those years coming home to a wagging tail he is no longer with us, and I miss him to such a ridiculous extent I can't really describe it. The little guy knew me inside and out. If I was 'angry' at him for something he might or might not have done, he just saw right through me. On the rare occasions I was angry 'for real' (not necessarily at him) he took it REALLY easy around me. I remember this one time, some 12-14 years ago, I was home from work due to high fever and feeling like absolute garbage. At that time, me and wifey lived in a rather cramped apartment. I spilled a glass of coke in the cramped area my computer was assigned to and in the state I was in i just completely blew a gasket. I was so angry that steam more or less vented through my ears.

In the periphery I could see this unremarkable 15lbs poodle (named 'Rambo' by the way) look at me with the tail wagging and his tongue hanging almost down to the floor. When I looked directly at him he just laid flat on the floor, as if saying 'please don't kille me'. Each and every time I looked away from him he stood up and kept on wagging that tail (only to lie flat as a sheet of paper if my eye gazed in his direction). From there on out I realised how easily he could pick up my mood and I actually started chuckling, making Rambo walk over to me and sit down beside me all the while looking up at me with that look of 'we're all right aren't we?'. I couldn't help but laugh at the absurdity of it all and the little guy just jumped up in my lap. 

Yesterday I got his ashes back in a modest wooden urn. Rest in peace old friend. 

I give you: a young version of my little Rambo. Later years we called him 'old greybeard' but back in the day he was absolutely jet black.

 

 

Edited April 3, 20242 yr by charliearon
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Out of coincidence (or is it...?) the other day I met a little dog named Rambo as well.  He was a very well-behaved mini daschund mix.  Probably no more than 15 lbs.  That dog sat at the table like a human, the entire time his owners were signing documents.

I lost my dog -- Lucky -- aka Lucky Dog -- in 2021.  He was estimated to be 14 years old but I don't know for sure because I rescued him as a stray, he was a black terrier mix about 23 lbs in his prime.   I think it's true about a dog reading your mood.  They live with you, so I guess they really "learn you" by observation, and even though they don't speak English (or Swedish or whatever) they understand in a different way.

6 hours ago, Swe_Richard said:

Yesterday I got his ashes back in a modest wooden urn. Rest in peace old friend. 

I feel your pain at the loss of a long-term companion. Fifteen years ago, my little mini-daschund had a stroke and had to be put to sleep according to the vet. To this day I still catch glimpses of him in my extreme peripheral vision.

I decided that I'd not have another animal for a companion as I'm getting too old to guarantee his or her care.

Sorry to hear, the little fur balls are a big part of our lives, and those poodles are known for there intelligence and companionship and all around good natured friends 

On 4/3/2024 at 11:43 PM, n4gix said:

 

I decided that I'd not have another animal for a companion as I'm getting too old to guarantee his or her care.

I can understand that. At this point in time I can't see myself having another dog considering how utterly broken I got after my little guys demise.

On 4/4/2024 at 12:22 AM, Matthew Kane said:

Sorry to hear, the little fur balls are a big part of our lives, and those poodles are known for there intelligence and companionship and all around good natured friends 

This is so true. I've kind of dreaded this moment for 14 years.. 😉

He was uncanny at times. I grew up with cats. Rambo was my first dog. The difference in the interactions are mind boggling. If I ever get another dog, Poodle is high up on the list.

5 hours ago, Swe_Richard said:

I can understand that. At this point in time I can't see myself having another dog considering how utterly broken I got after my little guys demise.

You will, but it will take time. This I know. Hang in there.